Answer Woman: Do I need a COVID booster? Are the newest vaccines available in Asheville?

ASHEVILLE - Today's burning question is about updated COVID-19 vaccines — do you need another booster? Are the newest vaccines available in the Asheville area yet?

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Question: I recently made appointments for me and my spouse to get COVID 19 vaccines (boosters) because we plan to travel in a month. A few hours before our appointments, the pharmacy sent a message cancelling my spouse's appointment, but not mine. When we presented ourselves, we were told that the pharmacy — and indeed all of Asheville — is out of COVID 19 vaccines. There is apparently a shortage because a new vaccine is in development and should be available this fall. We need the vaccine now, not two months from now. Will Asheville get more doses of the old vaccine? It's a bad situation for those of us who are vulnerable due to health or age, but we can't seem to get any helpful information about the situation.

Answer: You probably do need a booster, and you're almost certainly eligible for one. But finding one may be a bit more difficult for the time being.

Buncombe County Health Director Ellis Matheson told the Citizen Times that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a booster vaccine for everyone 6 months and older for the upcoming fall and winter respiratory season, along with an updated flu vaccine.

However, Matheson said it may not be possible to do so in Buncombe County just yet.

"Currently, we have not received stock of the updated COVID vaccine here at the health department," Matheson said. We will make the public aware when we receive the stock so that people can either come to us in our immunization clinic, or go to any pharmacy or check with their medical provider."

Matheson was unsure as to whether pharmacies are stocked with the updated COVID boosters at this point, but said that the health department is expecting deliveries toward the end of August or beginning of September.

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Who is eligible for the new COVID vaccine?

COVID vaccines are available in North Carolina to everyone 6 months and older. No government ID is required - the N.C. Division of Health and Human Services' dedicated webpage said that anyone can be vaccinated, regardless of immigration status.

If I already had the COVID vaccine, do I need the fall vaccine?

Yes. The NCDHHS page explains that seasonal COVID vaccines are, much like flu vaccines, designed to match the ever-changing virus. You should, however, wait at least two months from your previous vaccination date before getting the fall vaccine.

The site also reminds the public that you do not need the same vaccine brand as any previous shots if you are five years of age or older. Children 6 months to 4 years of age should receive the same vaccine brand for all doses if possible.

"With the upcoming respiratory virus season, and COVID circulating right now, people need to make sure they're up to date on their vaccines," Matheson said. "Wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home when you're sick, and if you do get sick, reach out to your medical provider, because treatment is available."

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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: COVID-19 booster vaccines:Do I need a booster? Where do I get one?